Bob Mortimer wins 2023 Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction with The Satsuma Complex When Agnes delivers the work she has done to the widow, she finds that Mr Boyle's throat was cut. Why then did the killer smash his head in? b) “‘It must be in the blood,’ he mutters to himself. He is so near now that she can smell the birthing chamber on him. ‘A taint. I never thought you and your sister anything alike, but when it comes over you, I see her again …” She knew nothing of this. Simon never told her he had seriously contemplated having Constance committed…The note is dated about a week before Constance’s death”

The Shape of Darkness is Purcell's fourth novel, and I will state from the outset that it's the scariest yet! The plot revolves mostly around Agnes Darken: an older spinster, who crafts by hand the art of silhouettes, an art on the cusp of extinction as the more popular daguerreotypes are increasingly preferred. Agnes begins to realise that her patrons (sadly few and far between) are seemingly murdered after sitting for her portraiture. In parallel is Pearl Meers, "The White Sylph": a young albino girl working for her sister as a spirit guide. Pearl's gift is suddenly increasing in its intensity, causing her to experience the same symptoms of the victims of Bath's supposed serial killer. This is the fourth book from Laura Purcell and it’s everything I wanted it to be. By that I mean it’s a Gothic delight with all Laura’s signature elements: a clever story that slowly unravels itself, a lead character you root for and a satisfying hit of the supernatural.Just about every twist here caught me off guard, and every prediction I had turned out to be unfounded. The story was so intrinsically layered, that I couldn't focus on another while immersed in this world. Everything from the differences of social classes, medicinal practices, factory conditions, and horrible deaths that could wipe out an entire family in moments are brought to our attention. This is not a look at the glamour of the Victorian times, but of the lesser fortunate.

Aclever and well-researchednovelwith a good twist, and it shows the nightmare of life for single women of limited means in the 19th century.” ―Literary Review (London) When another of Agnes’s clients turns up dead, Agnes decides to pay Pearl a visit believing that a séance and being able to talk to the dead clients a legitimate way to solving this vexing, and fearful problem. Will you not admit to all your atrocities, Miss West? Guess I might as well, eh? In for a penny, in for a pound. Seems better to hang for five bodies instead of two. [Simon]”I’ve read and enjoyed Laura Purcell’s previous three books: The Silent Companions, The Corset and Bone China. I’m pleased to report that with The Shape of Darkness she has produced another entertaining tale steeped in wall-to-wall gothic spookiness. Creating atmosphere is her forte and all her books are pervaded by a creeping menace, darkness and paranoia. This is Spring’s second novel to feature real-life ghost hunter Harry Price and his assistant Sarah Grey, this time investigating paranormal mysteries in the abandoned village of Imber. Although Harry is an infamous sceptic, he is soon unsettled by the events that take place – along with the reader. The seance scene in this book is a standout for creepiness, and it was interesting to read it from the point of view of a meticulous researcher trying to prove fraud. Sarah is also a fascinating character, haunted by her past and possibly touched by psychic ability. If I could give this more than 5* I would but 5* it is. Once I get my physical copy in 2021 I will definitely be reading it again. I examine the following quotes as clues to determine who or what did the killing and why they occurred. Well. The writing that I saw … on the note you showed me … That belonged to someone else. Someone we both knew, Miss Darken.’

Here are a few examples of why I did not like the author's writing: 'But it cannot be, not after all of these years', 'her heart flutters its wings inside her chest', the idea fills her with a sweet glow, 'in her face are those simmering, witchy eyes', 'her slender trunk' (this to describe a woman's figure), 'frightened whispers of her own conscience'. We follow Agnes as she starts to notice a disturbing pattern among the people she cuts portraits for… 'She is still faced with the question: why are her sitters dying?' mistreated corpse was discovered buried beneath snow in Royal Victoria Park on 18th October. The body was later identified as belonging to one Edward Lewis of Weston” THE SHAPE OF DARKNESS, by Laura Purcell features Agnes, a silhouette artist in Victorian Bath. She's struggling to support her mother and nephew in a time where more modern devices are becoming popular. When her customers start dying shortly after their sittings with her, she breaks down and sees a child medium--the older sister clearly untrustworthy, but the younger appears to be genuine. This much we gather from the synopsis, but the book is so much deeper than that. Simon confirms the truth, although Agnes is actually the killer, not Simon: “‘Miss West did not kill my clients,’ Agnes announces. ‘No.’ [Simon] She expected at least some denial. “Is there a murderer on the loose in Bath? That is the question Agnes must find the answer to. And she decides to do so in an unorthodox method – through the help of Pearl, The White Sylph. She is an 11-year old spirit medium who speaks to the dead. Under the tutelage of her older half-sister, they make a living from this unique way of working. Having read all of Purcell's previous Gothic novels, I was very excited for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of her latest offering via NetGalley. The Shape of Darkness is genuinely creepy; not full on horror but it’s enough to leave you feeling distinctly uneasy after each chapter. There are séance scenes that’ll make you want to pull the covers up a little tighter and otherworldly encounters that’ll have you peering warily into dark corners of the house, convinced you can see shapes in the shadows. It triggers the imagination in the best of ways, ending with a series of consecutive twists that’ll alter the whole way you view Agnes and her unfortunate life. A great murder mystery, aided by the author’s excellent application of deception, (I never guessed the way it would end!) along with the added intrigue of supernatural events.